18:1 When he had said these things,1 Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley.2 There was an orchard3 there, and he and his disciples went into it.
18:2 (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, knew the place too, because Jesus had met there many times4 with his disciples.)518:3 So Judas obtained a squad of soldiers6 and some officers of the chief priests and Pharisees.7 They came to the orchard8 with lanterns9 and torches and weapons.

18:4 Then Jesus, because he knew everything that was going to happen to him,10 came and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”1118:5 They replied,12 “Jesus the Nazarene.” He told them, “I am he.” (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was standing there with them.)1318:6 So when Jesus14 said to them, “I am he,” they retreated15 and fell to the ground.1618:7 Then Jesus17 asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”
18:8 Jesus replied,18 “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for19 me, let these men20 go.”2118:9 He said this22 to fulfill the word he had spoken,23 “I have not lost a single one of those whom you gave me.”24

18:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave,25 cutting off his right ear.26 (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.)2718:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath! Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”28

Jesus Before Annas

18:12 Then the squad of soldiers29 with their commanding officer30 and the officers of the Jewish leaders31 arrested32 Jesus and tied him up.3318:13 They34 brought him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.3518:14 (Now it was Caiaphas who had advised36 the Jewish leaders37 that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.)38

Peter’s First Denial

18:15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed them as they brought Jesus to Annas.39 (Now the other disciple40 was acquainted with the high priest, and he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.)4118:16 But Simon Peter was left standing outside by the door. So the other disciple who was acquainted with the high priest came out and spoke to the slave girl who watched the door,42 and brought Peter inside.
18:17 The girl43 who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You’re not one of this man’s disciples too, are you?”44 He replied,45 “I am not.”
18:18 (Now the slaves46 and the guards47 were standing around a charcoal fire they had made, warming themselves because it was cold.48 Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.)49

Jesus Questioned by Annas

18:19 While this was happening,50 the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.5118:20 Jesus replied,52 “I have spoken publicly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues53 and in the temple courts,54 where all the Jewish people55 assemble together. I56 have said nothing in secret.
18:21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said.57 They58 know what I said.”
18:22 When Jesus59 had said this, one of the high priest’s officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said,60 “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”
18:23 Jesus replied,61 “If I have said something wrong,62 confirm63 what is wrong.64 But if I spoke correctly, why strike me?”
18:24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up,65 to Caiaphas the high priest.66

Peter’s Second and Third Denials

18:25 Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing in the courtyard67 warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”68 Peter69 denied it: “I am not!”
18:26 One of the high priest’s slaves,70 a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off,71 said, “Did I not see you in the orchard72 with him?”7318:27 Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.74

Jesus Brought Before Pilate

18:28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence.75 (Now it was very early morning.)76 They77 did not go into the governor’s residence78 so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal.
18:29 So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation79 do you bring against this man?”8018:30 They replied,81 “If this man82 were not a criminal,83 we would not have handed him over to you.”84

18:31 Pilate told them,85 “Take him yourselves and pass judgment on him86 according to your own law!”87 The Jewish leaders88 replied,89 “We cannot legally put anyone to death.”9018:32 (This happened91 to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken when he indicated92 what kind of death he was going to die.93)

Pilate Questions Jesus

18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence,94 summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”9518:34 Jesus replied,96 “Are you saying this on your own initiative,97 or have others told you about me?”
18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I?98 Your own people99 and your chief priests handed you over100 to me. What have you done?”

18:36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being101 handed over102 to the Jewish authorities.103 But as it is,104 my kingdom is not from here.”
18:37 Then Pilate said,105 “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to106 my voice.”
18:38 Pilate asked,107 “What is truth?”108

When he had said this he went back outside to the Jewish leaders109 and announced,110 “I find no basis for an accusation111 against him.
18:39 But it is your custom that I release one prisoner112 for you at the Passover.113 So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”
18:40 Then they shouted back,114 “Not this man,115 but Barabbas!”116 (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.117)118